Daniel 6 NIRV - Daniel Is Thrown Into a Den of Lions - Bible Gateway Daniel 6New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Daniel Is Thrown Into a Den of Lions 6 It pleased Darius to appoint 120 royal rulers over his entire kingdom. 2 He placed three leaders over them. One of the leaders was Daniel. The royal rulers were made accountable to the three leaders. Then the king wouldn’t lose any of his wealth. 3 Daniel did a better job than the other two leaders or any of the royal rulers. He was an unusually good and able man. So the king planned to put him in charge of the whole kingdom. 4 But the other two leaders and the royal rulers heard about it. So they looked for a reason to bring charges against Daniel. They tried to find something wrong with the way he ran the government. But they weren’t able to. They couldn’t find any fault with his work. He could always be trusted. He never did anything wrong. And he always did what he was supposed to. 5 Finally these men said, “We want to bring charges against this man Daniel. But It’s almost impossible for us to come up with a reason to do it.

If we find a reason, it will have to be in connection with the law of his God.” 6 So the two leaders and the royal rulers went as a group to the king. They said, “King Darius, may you live forever! 7 All the royal leaders, high officials, royal rulers, advisers and governors want to make a suggestion. We’ve agreed that you should give an order. And you should make sure it’s obeyed. Your Majesty, here is the command you should make your people obey for the next 30 days. Don’t let any of your people pray to any god or human being except to you. If they do, throw them into the lions’ den. 8 Now give the order. Write it down in the law of the Medes and Persians. Then it can’t be changed.” 9 So King Darius put the order in writing. 10 Daniel found out that the king had signed the order. In spite of that, he did just as he had always done before. He went home to his upstairs room. Its windows opened toward Jerusalem. He went to his room three times a day to pray. He got down on his knees and gave thanks to his God.

11 Some of the other royal officials went to where Daniel was staying. They saw him praying and asking God for help. 12 So they went to the king. They spoke to him about his royal order. They said, “Your Majesty, didn’t you sign an official order? It said that for the next 30 days your people could pray only to you. They could not pray to anyone else, whether god or human being. If they did, they would be thrown into the lions’ den.” The king answered, “The order must still be obeyed. It’s what the law of the Medes and Persians requires. So it can’t be changed.” 13 Then they spoke to the king again. They said, “Daniel is one of the prisoners from Judah. He doesn’t pay any attention to you, Your Majesty. He doesn’t obey the order you put in writing. He still prays to his God three times a day.” 14 When the king heard this, he was very upset. He didn’t want Daniel to be harmed in any way. Until sunset, he did everything he could to save him. 15 Then the men went as a group to King Darius.

They said to him, “Your Majesty, remember that no order or command you give can be changed. That’s what the law of the Medes and Persians requires.” 16 So the king gave the order. Daniel was brought out and thrown into the lions’ den. The king said to him, “You always serve your God faithfully. So may he save you!” 17 A stone was brought and placed over the opening of the den. The king sealed it with his own special ring. He also sealed it with the rings of his nobles. Then nothing could be done to help Daniel. 18 The king returned to his palace. He didn’t eat anything that night. He didn’t ask for anything to be brought to him for his enjoyment. And he couldn’t sleep. 19 As soon as the sun began to rise, the king got up. He hurried to the lions’ den. 20 When he got near it, he called out to Daniel. His voice was filled with great concern. He said, “Daniel! You serve the living God. You always serve him faithfully. So has he been able to save you from the lions?” 21 Daniel answered, “Your Majesty, may you live forever!

22 My God sent his angel. And his angel shut the mouths of the lions. They haven’t hurt me at all. That’s because I haven’t done anything wrong in God’s sight. I’ve never done anything wrong to you either, Your Majesty.” 23 The king was filled with joy. He ordered his servants to lift Daniel out of the den. So they did. They didn’t see any wounds on him. That’s because he had trusted in his God. 24 Then the king gave another order. The men who had said bad things about Daniel were brought in. They were thrown into the lions’ den. So were their wives and children. Before they hit the bottom of the den, the lions attacked them. And the lions crushed all their bones. 25 Then King Darius wrote to people of all nations, no matter what language they spoke. He said, “May you have great success! 26 “I order people in every part of my kingdom to respect and honor Daniel’s God. “He is the living God. He will live forever. His kingdom will not be destroyed. His rule will never end. 27 He sets people free and saves them. He does miraculous signs and wonders.

He does them in the heavens and on the earth. He has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.” 28 So Daniel had success while Darius was king. Things went well with Daniel during the rule of Cyrus, the Persian. Daniel In The Den Of Lions - Bible Story Summary Daniel in the Den of Lions - Bible Story Summary God Protected and Delivered Daniel from the Den of Lions Daniel's Answer to the King by Briton Rivière (1890). Public Domain Book of Daniel, chapter 6. Daniel in the Den of Lions - Story Summary: The ancient Middle East was the story of one empire rising, falling, and being replaced by another. In 605 B.C., the Babylonians conquered Israel, taking many of its promising young men into captivity in Babylon . One of those men was Daniel . When the lions' den event occurred, Daniel was in his 80s. Through a life of hard work and obedience to God , he had risen through the political ranks as an administrator of this pagan kingdom. In fact, Daniel was so honest and hardworking that the other government officials--who were jealous of him--could find nothing to remove him from office.

So they tried to use Daniel's faith in God against him. They tricked King Darius into passing a decree that during a 30-day period, anyone who prayed to another god or man besides the king would be thrown into the lions' den. Daniel learned of the decree but did not change his habit. Just as he had done all his life, he went home, knelt down, faced Jerusalem, and prayed to God. The wicked administrators caught him and told the king. King Darius, who loved Daniel, tried to save him, but the decree could not be revoked. At sundown, they threw Daniel into the den of lions . The king could not eat or sleep all night. At dawn he ran to the lions' den and asked Daniel if his God had protected him. Daniel replied, "My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king." (Daniel 6:22, NIV ) Scripture says the king was overjoyed.

Daniel was brought out, unharmed, "...because he had trusted in his God." (Daniel 6:23, NIV ) King Darius had the men arrested who falsely accused Daniel, and along with their wives and children, they were all thrown into the lions' den, where they were immediately killed by the beasts. Then the king issued another decree, ordering the people to fear and reverence the God of Daniel. Daniel prospered under the reign of Darius and King Cyrus the Persian after him. Points of Interest from Daniel in the Den of Lions: • Daniel is a type of Christ , a godly Bible character who foreshadows the coming Messiah. He is called blameless. In the lions' den miracle, Daniel's trial resembles that of Jesus before Pontius Pilate , and his escape from certain death is like Jesus' resurrection . • The lions' den also symbolized Daniel's captivity in Babylon , where God protected and sustained him because of his great faith . • Even though Daniel was an old man, he refused to take the easy way out and abandon God. The threat of an agonizing death did not change his trust in God.

• Daniel is not mentioned by name in Hebrews 11, the great Faith Hall of Fame , but he is alluded to in verse 33 as a prophet "who shut the mouth of lions." • Daniel was taken into captivity at the same time as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego . Question for Reflection: You might be enduring your own personal "den of lions" right now. The key is not to put your focus on your situation but rather on your all-powerful Protector. Are you putting your faith in God to rescue you? DANIEL AND THE LIONS' DEN who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. The scheme that was cooked up against Daniel by Darius' court was a set-up. It was designed specifically to entrap and eliminate Daniel. They were green-eyed jealous of him because he had been promoted to second in command in Darius' realm.

Not realizing their scheme, however, Darius signed the decree and, for all practical purposes, sealed Daniel's fate. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 6:10-15 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: 'Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or man except to you, O king, would be thrown into the lions' den?' The king answered, 'The decree stands�ｿｽ\in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.' Then they said to the king, 'Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the decree you put in writing.

He still prays three times a day.' When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him. Then the men went as a group to the king and said to him, 'Remember, O king, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.' Daniel was caught red-handed giving thanks and asking God for help ... which was his custom ... and, thus, breaking the thirty day law against praying to any other god but Darius, that had been enacted. His enemies then hastened to bring the news to Darius. From a human perspective, it truly was a black day for this man of God. May we chase another rabbit here for a moment? I just wanted to say that one's current circumstances cannot block God's blessing and favor on one's life. Every child of God has a wall of safety and protection around them at all times. And, Satan himself, cannot penetrate that wall without getting permission from God, first. This truth is illustrated in the book of Job.

There we read, Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. And the LORD said to Satan, �ｿｽgFrom where do you come?�ｿｽh So Satan answered the LORD and said, �ｿｽgFrom going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.�ｿｽh Then the LORD said to Satan, �ｿｽgHave you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?�ｿｽh So Satan answered the LORD and said, �ｿｽgDoes Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.

But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!�ｿｽh And the LORD said to Satan, �ｿｽgBehold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.�ｿｽh So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. Psalm 55:22 says, Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. Daniel knew this scripture and obeyed it. In spite of his circumstances, he put the Word of God first and was willing to let the chips fall where they may. Once, I asked my dad, What would you do if you were unjustly thrown into prison for the rest of your life? He answered, I'd start a Bible study. Child of God, never let circumstances or opposition dictate your responses and actions. Always let your faith in your God and your knowledge of his Word dictate your responses and your actions. Our God is a wall of safety around his own. He stands against any scheme of men and Hell that is directed at his children.

As you have it in Psalm 34:7-8, The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. That Psalmist goes on to say, Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:21-22 Now, it is important to understand that the safety and security that is ours in the Lord is not defined by what happens to us down here in this dark world. It is defined simply by the fact that our lives are in God's hands. And, even if we find ourselves in a circumstance that might cost us our physical lives here on earth, we don't have to sweat it. Jesus said in Luke 12:4-5, I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell.

Yes, I tell you, fear him. Psalm 91:1-2 says, He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.' Psalm 62:5-8 says, Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Daniel was that kind of man. Throughout his life and his many trials and perils, he simply trusted the Lord and believed and stood on His promises. Being human, he probably had his moments but, he simply talked to God about them. We are all so very human. How will he deliver me?, we ask. The answer is simple. Never mind how. He just will. We can take it to the bank.

Sometimes he delivers from the circumstance and sometimes he delivers through the circumstance; sometimes from the persecution ... sometimes through the persecution; sometimes from the fire ... sometimes through the fire; sometimes from the mob ... sometimes through the mob; sometimes from death ... sometimes through death; but, HE ALWAYS DELIVERS US. Daniel didn't know in advance that God was going to save him from the lions' den. If God didn't, Daniel knew that his God would see him through the peril ... regardless. Our brother, Stephen, in Acts 7, comes to mind here. Let's look at a bit of that passage. When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 'Look,' he said, 'I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.' At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' Then he fell on his knees and cried out, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.' When he had said this, he fell asleep. Daniel wouldn't have obeyed Darius' edict ... even if it had only been for one day. For him, God's Word and God's will over-ruled all other things and directives that came along. He was a spiritual and mature saint. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 6:16-18 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions' den. The king said to Daniel, 'May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!' A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel's situation might not be changed. Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep. �ｿｽ@ �ｿｽ@ You and I can only imagine this scene. The lions' den was a place of horror ...

a gruesome place of torture and cruel punishment. A place where cruel men enjoyed the short-lived agony and screams of their victims. Daniel was thrown alive into its black hole. However ... praise God ... even within the blackest holes imaginable, our God is always there with his own! Psalm 139:8-12 says, If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, �ｿｽgSurely the darkness shall fall on me,�ｿｽh Even the night shall be light about me; Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You. It would not surprise me if, down in that dark pit full of lions, Daniel didn't meditate on those very words of Scripture. The last words he heard from Darius' lips were, May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you.

Apparently, Daniel had been talking to Darius on the way to the lions' den. Perhaps he had even been witnessing to him about the one true and living God. Darius' words seem to indicate that. Daniel knew that his God would, in fact, deliver him ... either through the lions' den or by the lions' den. Whichever way God chose, Daniel was content to rest in his Lord's decision. Darius' favor towards Daniel is also clear here in the text. At first, he tried to save him. Then, not being able to do so, he went to bed greatly disturbed and could neither sleep nor be consoled. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 6:19-23 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions' den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, 'Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?' Daniel answered, 'O king, live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight.

Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king.' The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. The key phrase above is undoubtedly ... because he had trusted in his God. Dear believer, the ability of our Omnipotent God, coupled with the faith of his children, is an awesome thing to behold. As we have it laid before us in that great roster of men and women of faith in Hebrews 11:33-36, ...who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. The daily decisions that you and I make concerning our trust and walk with God not only affect those who are watching us ...

but, they affect our eternal standing in Heaven as well. Many a saint have laid down their lives knowing that by doing so they were gaining an eternal testimony and a better resurrection! May you and I have the faith and courage to follow in their footsteps if it is required of us. Amen? Notice, in verse 22, Daniel said that his deliverance was accomplished by God's angel. No doubt, Daniel actually saw him and they probably spoke together. Angels are awesome spirits with amazing power. Their sole function, according to Hebrews 1:14, is to minister to God's people. Did you know that? Are you aware that your God has angels assigned to minister to you? Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation ? Awesome! Remember what Psalm 34, said? The angel of the Lord camps round about those who fear him... That's real, shoe-leather security, brother and sister! God directed care and security is the only care and security any child of God is ever going to need. You and I are specifically looked after by God's directed angels.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 6:24-28 At the king's command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions' den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land: 'May you prosper greatly! I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For he is the living God and he endures forever; Bible Stories for Children - Daniel & The Lions' Den ....when you always do what is good and right. I guess it's because it makes THEM look bad. Thats what happened with Daniel. The King of Babylon, King Belshazzar, died, and Darius the Mede became the new king. King Darius decided to appoint a hundred and twenty supervisors and governors to help rule over his kingdom. And he made Daniel and two others their boss. The other supervisors and governors didnt like it. Daniel worked harder, and did much better work than any of them.

The King was so impressed he was going to put Daniel in charge of the whole kingdom. We have to do something about this Daniel, the supervisors, the governors, the lieutenant governors, and all the other officials said to themselves. But no matter how hard they looked, they couldnt find anything wrong with Daniel because Daniel was completely faithful and honest in everything he did. Maybe we can use his religion against him, they said. And so they came up with a devious plan. They came before King Darius one day and said, King Darius! May you live forever! (although each one of them was probably really thinking, 'May you die tomorrow - so I can become King!'). All of us who help to rule your kingdom; the supervisors, the governors, the lieutenant governors, and all the other officials, think that it would be very wise of you to issue a command that for thirty days no one should be able to ask for anything from any god or man except you, O Great and Mighty King.

And if anyone should ask for anything from any god or man besides you, they should be thrown into the lions den. King Darius accepted the idea of the supervisors, the governors, the lieutenant governors, and all the other officials, and signed the decree. It became a law of the Medes and Persians that could not be changed. Daniel heard the Kings decree, but still, the next morning he went to his window to pray, just as he did every morning, noon and night. This was exactly what the supervisors, the governors, the lieutenant governors, and all the other officials were looking for. They went straight to the king. Your Majesty, may you live forever! they said. Didnt you sign a decree that said for thirty days no one should ask for anything from any god or man except you, O Great and Mighty King. And if anyone should ask for anything from any god or man besides you, they should be thrown into the lions den? Yes, said the king.

It is a law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be changed. Then the supervisors, the governors, the lieutenant governors, and all the other officials said, We saw Daniel praying to his God this very morning! He does not respect you or your order. When King Darius heard this news he was very sad. He knew that Daniel was a good and honest man, who served him faithfully. And so he worked into the night, trying to find some way to rescue Daniel. But he couldnt. The supervisors, the governors, the lieutenant governors, and all the other officials came back the next morning and demanded, Your Majesty, you know a law of the Medes and Persians can never be changed. Daniel must be thrown into the lions den! Which was just what they wanted all along. And so, the king had no choice but to have Daniel thrown into the lions den. The King said to Daniel, May the God whom you serve so faithfully save you! And then the kings men grabbed Daniel and threw him into a pit filled with pacing, roaring, hot-breathed lions.

They rolled a stone over the mouth of the den, and the King sealed it with his royal seal, so that no one could move the stone and rescue Daniel. That night, the king could not sleep at all. ...just as the sun was beginning to rise, the king ran to the lions den. He shouted out, Daniel! servant of the living God! Was the God you serve so faithfully able to save you from the lions jaws? Daniel...? May your majesty live forever! Daniel called from inside the lions den. God sent his angel to shut the lions mouths all through the night. God has saved me so that you will know that I am innocent, and I have served you faithfully! The king was so happy. Immediately he ordered his servants to pull Daniel from the lions den. There wasnt even a scratch on him. Everyone saw that Daniel had trusted God, and God had saved him. And then the king sent for all the supervisors, the governors, the lieutenant governors, and all the other officials who had accused Daniel. They were in trouble now! Right then and there, the king had them arrested and thrown into lions den themselves.

The lions were not so friendly this time. Then King Darius issued a new decree. It said, Greetings, people of all nations, races, and languages! I, King Darius, decree that all people everywhere should honor and fear the God that Daniel serves so faithfully. He is the living God who rules for all time. His kingdom will never end, and his power will last forever. He rescues and he saves. He can do mighty things, for he has saved Daniel from the lions jaws! Once again, Daniel was faithful. And God was able to show us that he is always able to do great and wonderful things. � Paul Dallgas-Frey Daniel 6 NIV - Daniel in the Den of Lions - It pleased - Bible Gateway Daniel 6New International Version (NIV) Daniel in the Den of Lions 6 [ a ]It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, 2 with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss.

3 Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. 4 At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. 5 Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.” 6 So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: “May King Darius live forever! 7 The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. 8 Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” 9 So King Darius put the decree in writing.

10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. 12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?” The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” 13 Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” 14 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.

15 Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.” 16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” 17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep. 19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” 21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever!

22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.” 23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. 24 At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. 25 Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth: “May you prosper greatly! 26 “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. “For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. 27 He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth.

He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” 28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus[ b ] the Persian. Footnotes: Daniel 6:16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions' den. The king said to Daniel, "May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!" Matthew Henry Commentary 6:11-17 It is no new thing for what is done faithfully, in conscience toward God, to be misrepresented as done obstinately, and in contempt of the civil powers. Through want of due thought, we often do that which afterwards, like Darius, we see cause a thousand times to wish undone again. Daniel, that venerable man, is brought as the vilest of malefactors, and is thrown into the den of lions, to be devoured, only for worshipping his God. No doubt the placing the stone was ordered by the providence of God, that the miracle of Daniel's deliverance might appear more plain; and the king sealed it with his own signet, probably lest Daniel's enemies should kill him.

Let us commit our lives and souls unto God, in well-doing. We cannot place full confidence even in men whom we faithfully serve; but believers may, in all cases, be sure of the Divine favour and consolation. Daniel in the Lions' Den …15Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, "Recognize, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed." 16 Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions' den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, "Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you." 17A stone was brought and laid over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing would be changed in regard to Daniel.… Primary 6: Old Testament Lesson 42: Daniel in the Lions’ Den Picture 6-13, Daniel in the Lions’ Den (Gospel Art Picture Kit 117; 62096). Suggested Lesson Development Invite a child to give the opening prayer.

Attention Activity Make a simple chalkboard drawing of a house and a mountain as shown below. Ask the children to pretend that the house drawn on the chalkboard is their home. Have them pretend that they have to go a long way from home to visit a relative, stay in a hospital, or go on a mission. Draw a stick figure on the other side of the mountain. • How would you communicate with your family when you were that far away from home? What would you want to talk about? Explain that when we lived with Heavenly Father, we could communicate with him as we can with our families and our parents here on earth. And now, even though we were separated from our Heavenly Father when we came to earth, we can still communicate with him. • How has Heavenly Father told us we can communicate with him? Why does Heavenly Father want us to pray to him? Explain that he loves us, he wants us to love him, he wants us to ask for help, and he wants to bless us. Scripture Account Using the picture at an appropriate time, teach the children the account of Daniel being thrown into the lions’ den from the scriptures listed in the “Preparation” section.

(For suggested ways to teach the scripture account, see “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii.) Discussion and Application Questions Study the following questions and the scripture references as you prepare your lesson. Use the questions you feel will best help the children understand the scriptures and apply the principles in their lives. Reading and discussing the scriptures with the children in class will help them gain personal insights. • What was Daniel’s position in the government of King Darius? ( Daniel 5:29–31 ; 6:1–3 .) Explain that Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were cast in the fiery furnace, had a grandson named Belshazzar, who became king of Babylon. Daniel correctly interpreted a message from God to Belshazzar and was rewarded by being made one of the three highest rulers in the kingdom. After Belshazzar was killed, Darius became the king of Babylon. Why was Daniel chosen to be the highest of the 120 princes? ( Daniel 6:3 .) Explain that “an excellent spirit was in him” means that Daniel had the Spirit of God to guide him.

Why would someone who has the Spirit of God be a good person to trust and give responsibility to? • What did the other presidents and princes want to do to Daniel? ( Daniel 6:4 .) Why do you think they wanted to find fault with him? What did they finally decide to use against Daniel? ( Daniel 6:5, 7 .) How can we handle situations where others find fault in us for living righteously? (See enrichment activity 1.) • Why do you think King Darius signed the decree? ( Daniel 6:6–9 .) Explain that the princes and presidents used flattery to trick the king into making the decree. What is the difference between sincere compliments and flattery? How did Darius feel when he realized what he had done? ( Daniel 6:14 .) • What did Daniel do when he heard the decree? ( Daniel 6:10–11 .) Why do you think Daniel continued to pray? Why is it so important to pray each day? What do you think you would do in a situation like Daniel’s? • When Daniel was put into the den of lions, whom did Darius put his trust in?

( Daniel 6:16 .) What did Darius do while Daniel was in the lions’ den? ( Daniel 6:18 .) How have prayer and fasting helped you and your family? • What was the result of Daniel’s prayers and Darius’s fasting? ( Daniel 6:22–23 .) How was Daniel blessed for obeying God? How have you been blessed for obeying God? How has the Lord answered your prayers? Explain that sometimes our prayers are not answered in the ways we would like, but we are always blessed for praying daily and for doing what is right. • What was King Darius’s second decree? ( Daniel 6:25–27 .) How was King Darius’s second decree different from his first decree? (See Daniel 6:7–8 .) Whom did he seek praise for in the first decree? Whom did he seek praise for in his second decree? Explain that his second decree was actually a statement of his testimony of the living God. Enrichment Activities You may use one or more of the following activities any time during the lesson or as a review, summary, or challenge. 1.

Have the children think of situations when they have been or might be persecuted for living the gospel, such as being teased for refusing to listen to a vulgar joke or not joining in a certain activity on the Sabbath day. Have them give suggestions for handling such situations. 2. Using the chalkboard or a large piece of paper, have the children make a list of what they could pray for (see Alma 34:18–27 ). Then have them list what they are thankful for. Emphasize the importance of gratitude in prayer. Encourage the children to recognize and thank Heavenly Father daily for their blessings. Instead of listing these items, you may wish to bring a narrow-necked bottle and toothpicks or small sticks. Have each child say one thing that he or she could either pray for or show gratitude for and place a toothpick across the top of the bottle. Continue until the toothpicks fall. 3. Have the children decide what they could do in situations such as the following. Remind them of Daniel’s prayers and King Darius’s fast: a. You hear your mother up in the night with your sick brother. b. You become separated from your family in a crowd. c.

A friend shows you a magazine that contains vulgar pictures. d. You are discouraged about your grades in school. e. Someone in your ward or branch is seriously ill. Explain that prayer, fasting, and doing what we can to help are all important ways we can deal with problems. 4. Discuss the importance of daily prayer. Have the children think of times they might pray. You may wish to have the children list on the chalkboard what they might ask for and be thankful for in their prayers. Be sure to include prayers during Primary class in the discussion and to encourage the children to pray for those who are not in attendance. Emphasize the importance of always expressing gratitude for blessings, asking for the Lord’s help throughout the day, and praying with our families whenever possible. 5.

Question: Which King had Daniel thrown into the lions' den?
Answer: DARIUS